FRIDAY, 19 JANUARY 2024
TEXT:
Luke 7:18-36
18:
John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them,
19:
he sent them to the Lord to asked, “Are you the one who is to come, or should
we expect someone else?”
20:
When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask,
‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”
21:
At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil
spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind.
22:
So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen
and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed
to the poor.
23:
Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
24:
After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John:
“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
25:
If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those
who Wear jm expensive clothes and indulgeh in luxury are in palaces.
26:
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a
prophet.
27:
This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of
you, who will prepare your way before you.’
28:
I
tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the
one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29:
(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words,
acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.
30:
But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for
themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
31:
Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this
generation? What are they like?
32:
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each
other: “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.’
33:
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say,
‘He has a demon.’
34:
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a
drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
35:
But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”
36:
When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the
Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.
(New
International Version Holy Bible)
TOPIC:
OUR MAIN MISSION TODAY AS CHRISTIANS
The
Jews misinterpreted the Lord's mission, and that of John too, at the time of
his severe trial!
It
is not unusual for great spiritual leaders to have their days of doubt and
uncertainty, just like John.
Moses
was ready to quit on one occasion (Num. 11:1 0-15) so also did Elijah (1 Kings
19: 4) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:7-9,14-18). Even Paul knew the meaning of
despair (2 Cor. 1:8-9).
In
reply to John's enquiry, the Lord Jesus referred the disciples to the prophecy
about Him being fulfilled.
Our
main mission today as Christians is to bring lost sinners to Christ and the
transformation of the society would come as a by-product as believers live out
the Christ-like life.
When
the Lord said that the least of all saints in Him was greater than John the
Baptist, it was not in terms of status or importance of calling but the
privileges that we have in Christ Jesus, especially the assurance of our
salvation.
We
should be more concerned about what God thinks of us because those who hate the
truth would always find excuses to criticize us like the Pharisees.
QUESTION:
Do you sometimes feel like quitting?
PRAYER:
God Almighty, give me the strength to withstand the pressures and challenges
that come my way so that I can remain standing, in Jesus name. Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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